We’ll be running a coding course in the first week of the Easter break, Wednesday 12 to Friday 14 April.

The coding will focus on the micro:bit (https://microbit.org/). The class will suit those who have already done a previous holiday course with me, where they were introduced to the micro:bit. However, even if your child hasn’t previously coded with the micro:bit, they can still join us, as we’ll be going over the basics again anyway.

Once everyone’s up to speed, I’ll be taking the group on the next step, with some new code and integrating the micro:bit with a Maqueen robot. We’ll be programming the robot to move and perform tasks, which will be a lot of fun. Plus, there will be some other activities, as well.

When: Wednesday 12 to Friday 14 April

Time: 9.15am-3pm

Where: DVC Room, Saint Kentigern School (same as the after-school coding classes)

Cost: $345  (which includes use of a laptop, micro:bit and Maqueen robot – everyone gets their own to use)

Places are limited, and will be booked on a first come, first in basis. If you’re interested and would like to book a spot – or have any questions – please contact Greg Adams on info@codechampions.nz

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Code Champions March 2023

After last week’s fun with emojis, yesterday we started to explore Tkinter, a Python library for creating a GUI, or Graphical User Interface (the way we visually interact with computers).

We’ll be working with this further next term but kicked things off with a digital clock.

Using the GUI and time modules, we worked our way through setting up the size and look of the clock (the fonts and colours were chosen by the students).

Most of the code was straightforward but there were a few tricky bits. So, well done to everyone for successfully completing the task.

This was the last class of Term 1. The first class back in Term 2 is on Thursday 27 April.

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Code Champions March 2023

For the last couple of weeks, the Wednesday groups have been working with the Turtle module. This allows them to draw and create simple (and not-so-simple) line and colour images.

We started with basic lines, then shapes, likes squares and triangles. This week, the classes tackled a circle, before adapting their codes to include multiple circles and shapes, such as a target.

Another code they tried was a spiral, which has some quite complex coding and a ‘loop’.

The results were impressive, as was their eagerness to experiment and try different ways of writing the code to create various outcomes.

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Code Champions March 2023